Tunable OLED Lighting Source

Abstract

Described herein are devices and methods related to lighting systems that are color tunable and have a long lifetime. In certain embodiments, the device comprises two independently controlled phosphorescent OLED lighting panels coupled together in one package to emit light in one direction. In certain embodiment, aspects of the device are tunable, such as RGB color, color temperature, and luminance.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 092,481, filed Dec. 16, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT[0002]The claimed invention was made by, on behalf of, and / or in connection with one or more of the following parties to a joint university corporation research agreement: Regents of the University of Michigan, Princeton University, University of Southern California, and the Universal Display Corporation. The agreement was in effect on and before the date the claimed invention was made, and the claimed invention was made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of the agreement.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates to lighting systems and devices comprising organic light emitting diodes that are color tunable and have a long lifetime, as well as methods for making the same.BACKGROUND[0004]Opto-electronic ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes an OLED device that includes two OLED units, each with an anode, cathode, and at least one organic light emitting layer. The first OLED unit emits blue light and the second OLED unit emits yellow or white light. The two OLED units are sealed between two substrates, and the device is flexible. The controller can drive the two OLED units independently, and the device can adjust its luminance output while maintaining consistent color temperature output. The device can also include out-coupling enhancing technology, such as a structured film, lens, diffuser, or scattering layer. The technical effects of the patent include improved color accuracy and consistent color temperature output, as well as improved out-coupling of light.

Problems solved by technology

While OLED luminaires and other devices have many of the aforementioned advantages, they lack the ability to adjust wavelengths, either to achieve a desired color temperature output or to preserve the life expectancy of an OLED, especially blue light OLEDs which are prone to a shorter lifespan.

Current attempts to achieve these features have required the patterning of individual colored OLED emitters and are susceptible to lower lifespans.

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